Are You In Or Out?

Beloved,

I hope and pray that my message finds you doing well as God continues to watch over us in acts of covering, keeping, provision and protection that only He can truly provide.

I hope and pray that you feel God's love in your life and that you are so full of it that you have to show it, share it, and pour it generously into the lives of others.

Here we have another wonderful Wednesday, full of hope and expectation that the love of God is richly bestowed upon us because His love knows no bounds except to the extent that we reject Him to embrace our sins.

When it comes to our sins, we should know that every thought, every decision, and every act has a consequence in our lives. Some are more meaningful and impactful than others; but, we must recognize that sin is sin.

And, as a vaccine, an antidote is being vigorously searched for to defeat the COVID-19 coronavirus that is plaguing the world with a pandemic, God provided the antidote for our sin, Jesus Christ.

Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are in the family. We are in His arms. We are bound for heaven. We in the number called the saints.

Beloved, we are in...if we choose to stay in.

You see, you can be in and get out. But, you cannot be out and still expect to be in.

What do I mean?

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reveals, "Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers - none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."

We are all sinners saved by grace. In writing that we are all sinners acknowledges that all of us have sinned in some way and come short of the glory of God. Yes, we can lay claim as the saints of God that we are now washed, sanctified and justified; but, if these are just words that make us feel good and look good in the eyes of others, then the words are empty.

As Jesus' half-brother James wrote, "Faith without works is dead."

Beloved, while a partial list of sins and sinners is given, what is more important is two facts listed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth. None of those who are consistent with the list will inherit the kingdom of God. That would keep them out.

And, he wants them to acknowledge that within this inexhaustive list is something that somebody did that they are no longer supposed to do or be doing. That would keep them in.

Beloved, I do not know your sin; but, I know that you have sin in your life. You do not know my sin; but, you should know that I have sin in my life.

And, the remedy, the cure, the cleansing for your sin is the same as the remedy, the cure, the cleansing for my sin, Jesus Christ. There is no other way other than Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to make the decision on this day and every day. Be straightforward and be honest. Life is too short and time is too precious to waste it by fooling around.

Are you in or out?

Child of God, be in this world but not of this world. Leave who and what you used to be behind. Let God fill up your life with glimpses of the glory to come in the kingdom of God and live a life full of His peace that passes all understanding.

Let your old way of life be a testimony of what God has brought you through as He loving guides you by the power of the Holy Spirit towards what He is trying to bring you into.

Being in means that you have to make time for the things of God. Being in means that you have to make time for the church family. Being in means that you have to live your life in such a way that it draws others to Christ in salvation and working out their soul salvation.

God wants you in. Choose and choose wisely.

Beloved, we are finishing up our last session on the Beatitudes this evening with Chapter 8 - Rejoicing Through Persecution. I emailed the lesson out to you on Sunday. I will send out a schedule for the Summer Mini Lessons as well that will likely in June. I want us to continue to grow in our knowledge regarding the word of God and the things of God. So, I hope to see you and/or hear you this evening at 6:30pm for HOPE Wednesday.

Also, prior to HOPE Wednesday, we will have the Noonday Prayer. Do call in as there is power in prayer. A small investment of your time will yield immeasurable results.

Be in and stay connected.

And, remember, God loves you and I love you too!

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain